Netflix Is a Good Example of a New Form of Subscription Revenue

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I think for me it's like so much of the kind of broad conclusions I draw out from this is like by bringing this discussion back to pre-internet monopolies and the structure of industries. Like okay well those things were disrupted but what does the general trend lead towards? It would be surprising to me if Netflix one day sells its production half and just says you know we're actually just a distribution platform will integrate with the theater system or all these other things. But being on the production side distribution and consumption doing all that it doesn't make sense for us.

Paris Marx is joined by Daniel Joseph to discuss why advertising is central not just to the tech economy, but modern capitalism itself, and how the business models of companies are increasing shaped by serving ads and collecting data to inform them.

Daniel Joseph is a Senior Lecturer of Digital Sociology at Manchester Metropolitan University. He’s also written for a number of publications, including Briarpatch Magazine, Motherboard, and Real Life Magazine. Follow Daniel on Twitter at @DanjoKaz00ie.

Tech Won’t Save Us offers a critical perspective on tech, its worldview, and wider society with the goal of inspiring people to demand better tech and a better world. Follow the podcast (@techwontsaveus) and host Paris Marx (@parismarx) on Twitter, and support the show on Patreon.

The podcast is produced by Eric Wickham and part of the Harbinger Media Network.

Also mentioned in this episode:

Daniel wrote about how advertising and the need to create audiences is much more central to the tech economy than is often discussed.
Shoshana Wodinsky explained why so many companies are getting into advertising, including hotel chains, retailers, and more.
Unity faced criticism for merging with IronSource, a known advertising malware distributor.
After reporting a subscriber decline earlier this year, Netflix launched an ad-supported tier in October.
Companies like Apple and Uber are expanding their efforts to increase advertising revenue.
Ramon Lobato wrote Netflix Nations: The Geography of Digital Distribution.

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